Overview

Samspitze beneath Villanderer Berg

Above the pilgrimage chapel at Latzfonser Kreuz / San Croce di Lazfons, the highest such sanctuary in Südtirol / Alto Adige, you can find a cirque of three mountains: Cassianspitze / Cima San Cassiano, Ritzlarspitze and Samspitze. The latter two - as to my knowledge - carry only German names, an indication that in this part of the Sarntal Alps / Monti Sarentini the German language is still spoken almost exclusively though the area has belonged to Italy for more than 90 years now. Together, the three mountains are the last outpost of the higher part of the Sarntal Alps / Monti Sarentini standing above the huge pasture of Villanderer Alm which stretches all the way to Rittner Horn / Corno Renon some dozen kilometres to the south.

Samspitze, also simply called Sam is the second highest summit of the trinity, standing to the south-west of the cirque, which is open to the south. At its eastern base inside the cirque you can find Kassiansee / Lago San Cassiano, a mountain lake in beautiful surroundings. While the ascent routes to Samspitze are far from difficult they still are more serious than the routes to the other two mountains of the cirque. From Latzfonser Kreuz / San Croce di Lazfons you either scramble up the south slopes of the mountains (no trail or markers) or use part of the ascent routes to the higher Kassianspitze / Cima San Cassiano to traverse the Samspitze north ridge. The latter is considerably exposed though you cannot seriously call it a knife-edge.

In consequence the summit cross of Samspitze is not as popular a destination as the ones of its neighbours. However, views are also exceptional, especially when considering the wide panorama of the Dolomites acoss Eisacktal / Valle d'Isarco in the east. To the north Kassianspitze hides part of the vista of the Zillertal Alps and Ötztal Alps and Ortler Goup hover above the Blankenhorn / Getrumspitze Ridge in the west. On clear days you won't be willing to leave ...

Some Views

Blankenhorn and Getrumspitze seen from Samspitze

Geisler Group

Pflerscher and Gschnitzer Tribulaun

Peitlerkofel

Zehner and Heiligkreuzkofel

Tofane

Sella Group

Langkofel Group

Getting There

There are two reasonable trailheads for Samspitze, one at Reinswald / San Martino in Sarntal / Val Sarentino (or rather Durnholztal / Valdurna) and Lazfons in Eisacktal / Valle Isarco. Both trailheads are connected by the pilgrimage trail to the sanctuary at Lazfonser Kreuz / S. Croce di Lazfons

Reinswald / San Martino trailhead

Take Brenner Motorway A22 to Bozen / Bolzano

Drive through the city, following signs to Sarntal / Val Sarentino on SS508